Australia: Leighton O’Brien sues Tanknology Australia for patent infringement

Fuel analytics software and field technologies company Leighton O’Brien has filed a lawsuit against Tanknology Australia over patent infringement, states a company release.

A legal conflict between two fuel cleaning companies has begun in Australia with Leighton O´Brien lodging a Statement of Claim in the Federal Court against Tanknology.

Leighton O’Brien is seeking relief via a permanent injunction for Tanknology Australia to immediately cease using its fuel cleaning technology, and financial compensation, according to the company.

The filing was made, according to Leighton O’Brien CEO Reed Leighton, after unsuccessful attempts to resolve its concerns directly with Tanknology.

“Our intellectual property is our core asset, and represents significant R&D investment. We welcome healthy competition, but we will not tolerate competitors copying our technology," he said.

Noel Kennedy, Director at Tanknology Australia, denied these claims in a letter of response published on c-store.com.au, and said the company doesn't even use LOB's patented process.

“Tanknology have been unequivocal in advising clients that we do not believe the method LOB promotes, and has somehow patented, is remotely effective in cleaning the internal shell of a fuel tank and we have demonstrated this through video evidence in the past,” wrote Kennedy. 

Tanknology Australia operates under license as an independent licensee of U.S.-based Tanknology Inc. 

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